A truly special experience that is a great complement to the quiet and connection that visitors are seeking is one of yurt camping, also known as “glamping.” Visitors can stay in wooden and canvas structures that are deep in the forest, with access to trails and lakes, but also provide amenities that range from bedding to wifi to running water to mini kitchens.
Mt. Washington Valley, NH has three options when planning a vacation that gives them the feeling of being off-the-grid, but still provide access to all that makes up the hub of Mt. Washington Valley, Alpine Garden Camping Village and Winery, Frost Mountain Yurts and Huttopia White Mountains.
From glamping, to camping, to roughing it, there’s a a getaway for anyone looking for some R&R in the woods. Our friends at Alpine Garden Camping Village and Winery have you covered with fully furnished and cozy pods, tree houses, and cabins; as well as bring-your-own-gear tent and RV campsites. It's a boutique camping village with a heated pool, and on-site winery. Each unit is your own personal mini home away from home, featuring an outdoor fire pit, an option to add linen service or bring your own, (all cabin reservations include linen service), and all cabins tree-houses, and pods include a mini fridge, utensils and a personal bathroom. For all campsites, a shared bath house is available.
Alpine Garden Camping Village and Winery also features a winery and onsite tasting room. Alpine Garden Winery features locally grown apples and grapes from long time wine-maker Ryan Classen. Classes has been working for years to perfect his craft and has studied extensively in different parts of the world to perfect his wine and cider making techniques.
Alpine Garden Winery's wine grapes are grown on Ryan’s vineyard in Bartlett, NH. The ciders made at the winery are made from apples all foraged and sourced locally, from NH and ME. Its ciders and wine are both pressed and bottled in house at Alpine Garden Winery, and its ciders and wines are in the style of Pétillant Naturel; known by many as “Pét-Nat.” The winery is open year-round.
While Frost Mountain Yurts does offer seclusion, guests will enjoy modern amenities in each yurt with a set of bunk beds and a futon with a three burner kitchenette. They are also equipped with a bonfire, solar powered showers and port-a-potty. Guests are responsible for bringing their own linens and food, but a general pantry with dish soap, paper towels and other supplies are provided.
From one’s yurt at Frost Mountain, guests can access hiking and walking trails, some that take you to an elevation where you can see stunning views of Mt. Washington.
“Glampers,” that book a wood and canvas tent will have the feel of camping and getting back to nature, but enjoy amenities such as linens, towels, and down comforters, actual beds, and kitchen areas with pots, pans, mini-fridges, and more. There are five different tent options ranging in size that can hold a family of five or small enough for a couple looking for an intimate getaway.
Huttopia White Mountains is also located on the edges of Iona Lake, where families can swim, canoe, and kayak. It also offers a heated salt-water pool for families to play in. Scheduled activities and a kid’s club are offered daily throughout its season. A renovated Airstream camped is the on-campus food truck that serves home-made wood fired pizza, crepes - a nod to the French-Canadian origins of Huttopia’s original location, sandwiches, and more. Bar service and breakfast is served regularly through the height of its season.
Just a few miles outside of North Conway, the hub of Mt. Washington Valley, visitors to both lodging properties can feel secluded and distanced from the “real world,” but quickly access it if they want to spend time shopping, dining or playing at a family attraction. Mt. Washington Valley is home to Settlers Green, a mecca of name-brand outlet shopping that is tax-free, as well as the White Mountain Independents, a band of over twenty locally owned boutiques and shops. Locally owned restaurants, including The Valley Originals, which make up over twenty restaurants with the owners on property and serve everything from comfort food to casual fine dining.
For complete trip planning resources and information call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep. To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
Photo c/o Frost Mountain Yurts